Why Does the Mention of Ahlus Sunnah Live On After Their Death – In Contrast to Those That Oppose Them?

 

الحمد لله رب العالمين، وصلى الله وسلم على نبينا محمد وعلى آله وأصحابه أجمعين، أما بعد

 

Shaikh ul Islaam ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) stated:

 

“It was said to Abee Bakr bin ‘Ayyaash: ‘in the Masjid there are a people that are sat; and they are sat with (by other people).’ So he said: ‘Whoever sits for the people; then the people will sit for him. However – Ahlus Sunnah (the people of the Sunnah) pass away and yet their mention lives on, whilst Ahlul Bid’ah (the people of innovation) pass away – and their mention too passes away.’[1]

Since Ahlus Sunnah revive that which the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) came with, so they share a portion in His saying:

وَرَفَعْنَا لَكَ ذِكْرَكَ

 

((And We have elevated for you your repute.)) (Ash-Sharh: 4)

 

Likewise Ahlul-Bid’ah loathe that which the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) came with, so they share a portion in His saying:

إِنَّ شَانِئَكَ هُوَ الْأَبْتَرُ

((Indeed; your loathing enemy – he will be cut off.)) (Al-Kawthar: 3)

 

So caution – caution – O individual from your disliking anything which the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) came with, or that you should reject it due to your desires, or out of supportive furtherance of your madhab, or due to your Shaikh, or due to your being pre-occupied with desires, or with the world. For indeed; Allaah has not obligated upon anyone the obedience of anyone else – except obedience to His Messenger, and to accept that which he came with. Such that were the servant to oppose the whole of creation – and he followed the Messenger; Allaah will not ask him regarding the opposition of anyone, since the one who obeys or is obeyed is obeyed out of following the Messenger, otherwise; were he to be commanded with that which opposes what the Messenger commanded with – he will not obey.

Know that; and hear; and obey; and follow – and do not innovate – you will be cut off – your action will be rejected back upon you. Rather; there is no good in an action that is cut off (severed) from following (the Messenger), and likewise there is no good in the one that carries it out – and Allaah Knows best.”

 

Shaikh ul Islaam (rahimahullaah) said likewise after mentioning the saying of Allaah, The Most High:

 

إِنَّ شَانِئَكَ هُوَ الْأَبْتَرُ

((Indeed; your loathing enemy – he will be cut off.))

 

“So whoever loathes anything from that which the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) came with, then he shares a portion in that, and it was due to this that Aboo Bakr bin ‘Ayyaash said when it was said to him: ‘in the Masjid there are a people that are sat; and the people are sat with them.’ So he said: ‘Whoever sits for the people; then the people will sit for him. However – Ahlus Sunnah remain and their mention remains, whilst Ahlul Bid’ah pass away – and their mention too passes away.’

That is because Ahlul Bid’ah loathe some of that which the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) came with, so He cuts them off in accordance to that, and those that proclaim that which the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) came with, then there transpires for them a share of portion in His saying, The Most High:

وَرَفَعْنَا لَكَ ذِكْرَكَ

 

((And We have elevated for you your repute.))

 

For indeed; whatever Allaah has ennobled His Prophet with by way of the bliss of the life of this world as well as the Hereafter – then for the believers – those that follow; there shall be a portion in accordance to their Eemaan.

Whatever there is from the exclusive characteristics of Prophethood and Messengership – then no one else can be a participant in it from his Ummah, as for what there is from the reward of Eemaan and righteous actions; then for every believer there is a portion in accordance to that.”

 

 

(Taken from: Majmu’ Fataawa vol 16 p.528-529 and vol 28 p.38)

 

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[1] That which adds clarity over the understanding of this narration can be found in another version of this statement that appears in the ‘Ilal of At-Tirmidhee (vol 1 p.50) in which there occurs: It was said to Abee Bakr bin ‘Ayyaash: “Indeed there are a people that are sat; and the people are sat with them – whilst they are not worthy (deserving)?” So Aboo Bakr said: “Whoever sits (in a gathering); then the people will sit with him, and the companion of the Sunnah – when he passes away, Allaah revives his mention, whilst the innovator is not to be mentioned.”